Memories of Life

17. Change.

Robert was the first to wake, closely followed by Ivy. The pair sat in the shade on the front veranda, avoiding the gathering heat of another hot day while Ivy consumed her most requested breakfast of milk, and vegemite on toast.

"I like going to Old Bay for holidays dad, but I like our home better." She mumbled, spraying a mouthful of toast crumbs down her front.

"So do I." Her father replied, tickling the girl in the ribcage making her giggle, showering even more crumbs over herself. "But I know why you really like it. Because you get to ride Sammy."

Ivy nodded vigorously. "Can we ride him today?" She asked, slurping on the milk.

"Yep! After breakfast we'll go catch him, before it gets too hot."

The family had four horses kept in a divided paddock near the house, with a stable in the centre where they kept the tack. Leesa and Robert both had Bay mares, with a little painted Pony for Ivy, which she communed with every day, and would ride at any opportunity. The forth was a palomino which belonged to June, and which she'd once been obsessive about like her younger sister. Though the company of friends for a teenage girl, had now replaced her most prized possession.

Entering the stable Ivy's pony came running over to her, with Robert having to entice his mare Dusty with a whistle, and rattle of its feed bin. After saddling them, he legged Ivy up onto Sammy who was bomb-proof, and perfect for a girl her age; then mounted his own mare Dusty. He had acquired her from the abattoir while doing a routine inspection of the holding yards, where horses were often sent for slaughter. Dusty had caught his attention that day; being so young and feisty prancing around the small yard, Robert could not bare to think of such a wonderful animal going to waste. So using his contacts through the abattoir he arranged to buy her. She was unbroken, and temperamental, but over time he eventually worked the bad habits out of her.

"Can we do the loop dad?" Ivy asked, riding out of the stable.

"Okay." He replied with a permitting smile.

The loop was a track running around the border of the property which had been cut before they purchased it. It took just over an hour to complete depending on how fast they travelled, and today it was at a trot as Ivy kicked Sammy on. She had been riding since she was four, and now being six, walking pace was just too slow for her. Robert cantered along behind on Dusty who exhaled with every lazy stride.

The track was long with summer grass in patches where the cattle had been separated from it. Passing below the ridge Robert looked up noticing the undergrowth returning from his winter burn off, to keep it clear of fuel. Some of his cattle grazed amongst it, enjoying the fresh green growth. On approaching the last incline leading back to the house Ivy broke Sammy into a gallop, and yelled back. "Race ya dad!"

Robert pulled back on Dusty feeling her strain on the bit, desperately wanting to keep up with the little pony. Letting them get some distance ahead, he gave her a short kick unleashing the proud beast. No matter how many times he did it Robert thrilled at the power of the animal beneath him. Its big muscled frame pounding on the earth beneath him as he rose and fell above the saddle.

Dusty took big loping strides gaining on the shorter striding Sammy, with Ivy bouncing above him. "Get forward, and use your legs more!" Robert yelled out to her, noticing he had forgotten to put Ivy's helmet on. "Lee's will kill me." He thought. Giving Dusty another kick she powered on until Robert came up beside them. "Ivy slow her down love. We'll be in trouble if mum catches you without a helmet."

The girl pulled back on the reins slowing Sammy to a gentle trot again. "You never wear a helmet." She complained.

"Your head is more special than mine. And I don't want you to get hurt."